Pressure system for liquid seal shaft packings and the like



Sept. 7, 1943. c. E. WIESSNER 2,328,698

PRESSURE SYSTEM FOR LIQUID SEAL SHAFT PACKINGS AND THE LIKE Filed Jan.6, 1941 71 Q Z2; 5, w

INVENTOR.

, Patented Sept. 7, 1943 I p I 2,328,698 v mumssomz sYsr-EM mewLI'QU'ID- SEAL rsmrsmomues AND THE LIKE""Ghristopher-E."Wiessher;KalamazomMichdassigimrto--Bl1rametallicCorporation,'Kalama- :zoo;Meh..-a:corpotationofMiohigan Application Janu ry: 6, 1941,; Serial No. 373,286

- zf6iilaims (crass-e191 V p teinsfor-supplying liquid -such as 0&1 toe;

- This invention relates w to improvements in pressure; systems forliquid seal --shaft pas-kings andrthelike. I v p The-main objectsofthisinventipu'are:

First, to provide animproved rand highly efficient pressuresystem-for-circu lating lubricating oil, especially to supply oil to aliquid sealeda-shatt packing or equivalent structure, which system is"adapted to develop extremely high liquid-pres sure suitable [forsealingthe shaftsqof pumpsand be associatedin-avery-simplemanner'withanyliquid sealedapparatus. Alternatively, the systhe. likeoperating at high output pressures, and

for otherrpurposes. H I 7 Second, to, provide a circulating-system ofthe type described which is exceedingly compact and entirelyself-contained'and isifabricated (if-parts which are strongand rigidtoresistwracking-and resultant unsatisfactory operation I J I Third, toprovide a system ofthe type described including a liquidpressure-regulating valve o fimproved vdesign whichrgreatly extends thepressure range or capacity of the systemasra wholeand' Y adapts thesamenfor sealing theshaits'of pumps operating ina wide range ofpressures, or for cir l culating oil to bearings, orin anyapplicationWhere itis desired to supply oil at a uniform pressure.

'Fourth, to provide a continuous system ofthe type described wherein thepressure liquid is c'ircul-ated tolone .or..a' plurality or pumps 'orother. devices to supply liquid'to' lmdr'aulic shaft, rod'or stemsealing devicesassociateditherewith,thence through a'pressur'econtrolling devi-ce to attain; or container for cooling; straining, andthe like, and wherein exceedingly high liquid pressuremay bejprod'ucedso asto enable an'effective liquid seal'tobe provided throughout-a widerange or pressures. I

Objects relating to details and'economiesof the invention willappear'from' the description to fol low. Theinvent'ion is defined'oi theclaims.

A structure embodying the features offtheinonla'strongribbed'cast-ironbase 1.]Mounted' l y o I this base'isaprimemover such asan explosiorfi proof motor Bfthjegshaftfi of whichis'supported vention is illustrated intheaccompanying drawin'g,wherein: r vFig. 1 is a fragmentary view illustratinga pressure system in accordancewith mydnve ntion in association with the-'packing boxo'fia pump or likemechanism,-certain -o f the structuref b'ein g' broken away" toillustrate enclosed devices or -'details thereof. 1 a

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view illustrating the construction of theflooror support engaging base provided for the parts of the system.

-Fig. '3 is an enlarged iragmentary view in vertical; sect-iorrillustrating anump'roved pressure regulating valve incorporated in thesystem.

The present i invention relates ato'lpressure sysdraulic "seal such asis employed for sealing the shafts of pumps and other apparatus such asare employed in refineries, chemicaiplants, and the like. Assuch it is aself-contained one in its enr tirety, being furnishedas-a singleunit-which can term may be employed to circulate oil through largebearings, supply; oil used as actuating medium 'ior hydraulic;equipment, furnish oil for heat treating apparatusor in any otherapplication where a problem-of circulating or supplying liquid atuniform pressures -is presented. s The present system,-moreover, ischaracterized by an extremely wide range of operatingpressures -so, asto-fur'ther widenthefield of use of the'same;

It may beuse'd in connection with; practically any.

hydraulic seal and, moreover, enables hydraulic seals to be employedonpum'psand similar mech anismsin cases here a hydraulic seal hashither?to been impractical by reason of theextremelyf high dischargev pressureof the particular pump 'Referringtofl-theldrawin'g; "in the preferredadaptation of..niy irivention i-llustrated the refer- 7 once numeral lin general indicates arpum'p gor. otherliquidhandling apparatushaving-feed and I return serviceflpipes 2, 3res-pective1yconnected tothelstufi'ing' box thereof for circulating a liquid sealingagentfthrougha hydraulic seal-deviceof any suitable design (not shown)associatedivith a stufiing boXfSimilar-service'lineswill be ern ployedin other applications of'thelsystemhere disclosed. Thisliquid seahngagent; preferably oil is supplied by the circulating pressure system ofmy invention which is generally indicated by the reference numeral 4.

' Y'I'h "system ,3 incl des aliduid'tank 5 ofksuit able capacitywhioh'is s'upported'e-by' standards' B,'

on "a 'suitableball'bearin'g device ID and connected to the shaft ofa'pump I I. "Reference numeral];

designates a suitable coupling connecting the, 5 motorand pumps-baits;(.1 l Referring to2,"'whereinjI'haveillustrated the bottom construction.Of base -Lit will be noted that thelatt'er is'providedwith threebossesl ll V servingasieet or supports for the base'whereby the latter.is mounted on I any surface, even or. uneven, without any likelihood ofcant'ir'ig' o'r' wrackinig. This --provi'sion i-s-'0f 'substantial iportanoe, ina'sm'uch as an such wrackin'g skewing tendency Wouldafi'ectthe 'alinement e1 motor shaft Qandtheshattof pump l l, thereby resultingin destructive Wear and unsatisfactory operation. The portions of thebase indicated by the reference numeral 12 do not extend beneath theskirt of the base.

Pum l I is a rotary positive displacement pump having the dischargeservice thereof connected through a pipe l3 and suitable connectingfittings to the feed line 2 for the packing seal and the suction orintake thereof communicating through a conduit H! with a filter l5disposed in tank 5 from which sealing liquid 16 is pump. 1 V Y Thefilter I5 acts to prevent foreign particles such as grit or scale fromentering the pump. A cooling coil I1 is installed in the tank, throughsupplied to the The regulating screw 32 may be readily adjusted manuallyto regulate the pressureexerted by spring 30 for any given installation.This --screw determines the range of pressures which can be developed inthe system. As stated, plunger 2! has a close fit in the bore 25 so thatthere is very little leakage therepast and in operation it yieldsunderthe pressure of fluid entering the regulator from pipe I8.

which cooling liquid such as cold water or brine 1 is circulated toreduce the temperature of'theliquid entering the pump II. I! may, butdoes not necessarily, surround the V filter' [5. It will behappreciatedthat under the This cooling coil:

through a branched or T-fitting lBwith a pre'ssure regulator device '28to be described. Pipe IBis communicated through the other branch offitting 59 with a pressure gauge 2!. Leaving the regulator 20, thesealing liquid is returned to the tank througha conduit 22 and asuitable bafileelement 23 whichdirects th'eliquid back in streams to thesupply in the tank. By reason of the fact that the regulator 20 to bedescribed is of a type enabling liquids at extremely'high pressures tobe handled and inasmuch as the liquid passes through the regulator 20through a relatively restricted space, with resultant likelihood of foamarising, it is highly desirable that some such appropriate battlingprovisions be provided so as to prevent any foamy condition oftheliquid. I have not specifically illustrated such features, inasmuchas appropriate provisions will occur to those skilled in the art.

Referring to Fig. 3, wherein the construction of the pressure regulator26 is illustrated in detail, the reference numeral 24 specificallyindicates a housing or casing into the bottom of which the returnservice pipe 18 is tapped in communication with a vertical passage orbore 25. sage 26in the casing communicates with bore 25 and has thedischarge pipe 22 tapped therein. It

should be noted that passages 26 and 25 communicate through a restrictedopening which may be in the form of a narrow vertical slot 25! A lateralpas-' A regulator of this type enables a positive displacement pump tobe employed for creating extremely high pressure without likelihood ofrupturing any of the parts due to sticking or jamming'of the pressureregulator structure. It assures maintenance of circulation with anabsolute minimum of'pressure fluctuation and a very precise pressureregulation.

As illustrated in Fig.l, the service pipes or conduits l3, I8 may beextended as desired to adapt the system of my invention for supplyingsealing liquid-to both ends of the pump or, in

fact, to any number of pumps or other devices to -which it is desired tosupply oil at a uniform pressure.

In Fig. 1, the reference numeral35 indicates a suitable liquid levelgauge and the reference numeral 36 a filler port. Thelid of thetank isgasketed' so that the system is vapor-proof and a vent outlet 31 isprovided for relieving the system of vapors and vapor pressurewithoutremoving the'tank lid. This feature isof distinct importance insystems of this type.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in an embodimentwhichis very practical, I have not attempted to illustrate or describeother embodiments or adaptations as it is believed this disclosure willenable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements asmay be desired.

in the former and which (greatly restricts the discharge capacity of theregulator andrmakes possible a very accurate pressure adjustment. Theshape of this slot or opening may vary, but in the illustratedembodiment the parallel vertical sides thereof are spaced a distance ofto inch and are of slightly less vertical dimension than the passage 26.

Bore 25 slidably receives with an exceedingly small clearance a plunger21 which extends up. wardly into a chamber fl28 above'th'e bore and isprovided with a head or shoulder 29 against which a strong coiledcompression spring 30 abuts. At its other end the spring'tfl abuts athrust or abutmentplate 3| which is adjustably engaged andheld fixed bymeansof a manually regulated adjusting screw 32 which is threaded Havingthu described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

1. A seli-contained pressure system for circulating liquid at uniformpressure, comprising a hydraulic shaft seal through which the liquidiscirculatedyaliquid supply tank, a positive displacement rotary pumphaving its intake in communication with the contents of said tankthrough a filter, a prime mover connected to said pump to drive thesame, a strong distortion resistant base supporting said tank, pump .andprime mover as a unit, a cooling coil associated with said filter forcooling the liquid prior to entering the pump, the discharge of saidpump being in communication with said seal, a liquid return linecommunicated with said seal having a flow obstructing and resistingpressur regulator therein discharging through a discharge conduit intosaid tank, said pressure regulatorcomprising a casing having a passagecommunicating said conduit and said return line on the intake side ofthe regulator, a plunger. insaid casing slidable in said passage withextremely small clearance and provided with a head at one end thereof,said casing having an enlarged chamber receiving said head, anadjustable abutment in said casing, and a coil compression springinterposed between said abutment and the head of said plunger wherebytoresist movement of the plunger by liquid acting thereon in saidpassage,

said plunger yielding to said pressure in opposi- 2,323,698; V l ltherethrough,saidreturn line having a flow (510-; structin gjandresistingpres'sure regulator therein,--- i comprising afca'sing having afluid passage in tion to said spring whereby liquid is dischargedthrough said conduit to the tank, andabaflle as:

vice associated with said conduit to prevent roam:

ing in the liquid incident to discharge thereof from said regulatorunder high pressures, v 1 2. A self-contained pressure system forcirculating liquid'at uniform pressure; comprising a hydraulic shaftseal through which the liquid-is circulated, a liquid supply tank-, apositive displacement rotary pump having its intake communicationwiththe contents of saidtank,, a1 prime mover connected tosaidpumpi'todrive the same, 'a strong distortion resistant baselsupporting said tank, pumpand prime mover a unit, the discharge of saidpump beingin communication with said seal, a liquid return line' Icommunicated with said seal having a flow 0bstructingand resistingpressure regulator therein discharging through a discharg conduit 1 intosaid tank, said pressure regulator comprisinga' casing having a passagecommunicating said con duit and said return line on the intake side of.the regulator, a plunger in said casing slidable in said passage withextremely small clearance, I

. an adjustable abutment insaid casing,,and a coil compression springinterposed between said abutment and said plunger whereby toresistmove-i ment of the plunger by liquid acting thereon in" ,1 saidpassage, said plungeryieldin to said'pre's sure in' opposition to saidspring whereby Liquid "isdischarged through said conduit to the tank,and a bafiie device associatedwith said conduit to;

prevent foaming in the liquidlincident to discharge thereof from saidregulator underyhighi. pressures. r i I I 'r 3. A self-contained unitarypressure systern'forlf circulating liquid at uniform pressure compris- Iing a hydraulic shaft seal, a liquid supplytanhf apositive displacementpump having'its intake in communication with the interior of saidtank,

destroy alinement of the pump and prime mover,

v a cooling coil adjacent the pump intake for 'cqcfling the liquid so asto insure uniform viscosity.

prior toentering the pump, the discharge of said pump being incommunication with saidjseal, a

liquid return line communicated with-said sealhaving a flow obstructingand resisting pressure 40 a prime mover alined with and connected tosaidump by a coupling to drive the same, airig'id reinforced base supportingsaid tank',', pump and prime mover as a unit withoutdistortionlik'elyto;

regulator therein discharging-to said tank through a restricted orifice,and'ja baliiev device on the discharge side of the regulator to preventfoaming in the liquid incident to operation of said;

regulator under high pressures. l 4. A unitary pressure systemofthe typedescribed comprising a supply of liquid, at positive means forcirculating liquid to and from'the supply and pump respectivelyincluding a supply 1 service line connected'to the discharge. of' thepump and a return service line including a'conduit discharging into saidsupply, a hydraulic device to which said supply and return lines arelatter under pressure: exerted thereon 'in' said; displacementpumphaving itsintake connected, 1 passa e-t e tension Said Spring beingreg? I 'to said supply, a prime mover therefor, and

plunger: yielding under said pressure'to-compres said'spring, saidconduit of the'return line com connected to complete a path ofcirculation .in said passage with very "small clearance, .a -j normallyfiXe'd adjustable abutment in said; cas ping, anda spring coacting withsaidabutmentjx vand plunger to resist movement of the latter underpressure exerted thereon in said passa'ge j [the tension of said' springbeing regulableyb-y 1 adjustment of saidabutment to varythefpre sureofthe circulatin'g 'liquidsaid plunger yield: ing under said 'pressure'tocompresssaid spring, I

;fsaid ;conduit"of the returnline 'oominunicatingy .w'ith said passagethrough a restricted opening, -Whreby a fineadjustment of the pressuremay behad and having a bafile'therein for'preventingf foaming in theliquid incident to operation of the fregulator under high pressure; 1

displacement" pump having its intake connected to said supply, a" primemover therefor,;; and means for circulating liquidto'and from "theservice;line connected to' the discharge "of; the

{plunge flow-obstructing? -type,- said conduit' of thei'return'linecommunicating-with said regula-f tor through ,a' grestricted opening andhaving abaliie therein for preventing foamingiin the liquid inscribedjcomprising'a supply of'liquid arpositivel U displacement pumphaving its'intake connected" m ansgror circulating liquid'to and ifro-mtlie UV supplyflj and pump Jre'spectively' including 'a sup- [1 plyfservice line connected to the discharge 'ofthe stricte'd openingwhereby a' fine adJ'ustmentp'of' .thepressurel may be-had.

communicationwith said line; av plunger 'slidablefl 5. 'Ajunitarypressure system or thetype d'e-"f scribed-comprisinga supplyofliquid, a positive i supplyand pumprespectively.includinga supply pumpand aretu'rnservice line including a/con duit discharging into saidsupply, a hydrauliqder vice to whichysaidsupplyand return line are; 3connected flt'oc completea path of; 'circ'ulationgf, 1 f ther'ethroug'h;said, return-line having afpresl sure fregulatorif thereinf of ayieldably biased j V ident cooperation oithe regulator under. high:spressures v; r e

" 6; -.A1 unitary pressuresystem of the type 'de'- 1 to" said supply,'ay lprime vmover 'therefon 'an'd pump and a return service lineincludinga conf sage; in communication withl said line, a plunge"slidablei'iin 's'aidpassage with very small' clearv assay-: normallyfixed adjustable abutment in said casing, and ayspring coacting'with-"said. abutment andplunger toresist movement of the I ulable gby'adjustment of said abutment to vary; j the pressure of "thecirculatingliquid, said municating with" said passage through, a re-' iCHRISTOPHER EQWIESSNER.

